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Hercules and his son Telephus, who was suckled by a doe
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Hercules and his son Telephus, who was suckled by a doe
Hercules and his son Telephus, who was suckled by a doe.. The most reasonable explanation for this painting is that is shows Hercules and his son Telephus, who was suckled by a doe. The beautiful woman seated holding a staff may be Arcadia or the earth goddess Tellus (Terra). Behind them are Pan with his pipes and pedum or curved stick, and Ceres or Providence pointing to the boy. Excavated in Resina. Copperplate engraved by Tommaso Piroli from his own Antichita di Ercolano (Antiquities of Herculaneum), Rome, 1789
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Media ID 14196849
© Florilegius / Mary Evans
Antichitadiercolano Antiquitiesofherculaneum Hercules Pompeii Suckled Tommasopiroli Telephus
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This print depicts the legendary hero Hercules and his son Telephus, who was famously raised by a doe in the wilds of Arcadia. The scene unfolds in a pastoral setting, with Hercules seated on a rock, his powerful physique exuding strength and wisdom. His son, Telephus, is shown being nursed by a doe, symbolizing the nurturing and protective forces of nature. The beautiful woman seated beside Hercules, holding a staff, is believed to be either Arcadia or the earth goddess Tellus (Terra). Her presence underscores the connection between Hercules, the embodiment of human strength, and the natural world that sustains him. In the background, the god Pan, the protector of shepherds and the wild, plays his pipes, while Ceres or Providence, the goddess of agriculture and abundance, points to Telephus, emphasizing the divine intervention that ensured his survival and growth. This exquisite print, excavated in Resina and copperplate engraved by Tommaso Piroli in 1789, is a testament to the rich artistic and historical heritage of ancient Rome. It offers a glimpse into the mythological world of the classical era, where gods and heroes intertwined with the natural world to create a tapestry of legend and lore.
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